Pope Francis made a statement today saying that the Catholic Church needs to follow the example of St. Peter and stop seeking to accumulate wealth.
The church brings in hundreds of millions of euros every year.
The works of the Church must go forward… but with a heart of poverty, not a heart of investment or of a businessman,” the Pontiff said. “Saint Peter did not have a bank account and when he had to pay taxes, the Lord sent him to sea to fish a fish with a coin inside in order to pay.”
The Pope has already issued cost-cutting reforms to Vatican processes including a 25,000 euro allowance given to members of the oversight commission for the Vatican Bank.
Pope Francis said they have to be an example of the Gospel and that it has to be announced with “simplicity and gratuitousness.”